Masking

December 9, 2021

Dear all,

I am writing to update on COVID-19.

As you know from the dashboard, we had 8 students test positive on Tuesday, and 7 more on Wednesday, and I have just learned that we had 7 more today, Thursday. Symptoms are generally mild, and we have not had a similar increase in employee cases.

Based on data from our contract tracing, the virus is apparently being transmitted when people have gathered in groups closely together in inside spaces and without masks. Please do not do this. We have no evidence that the virus is being transmitted in classes or in other routine interactions when masks are being worn. We anticipate that more complete masking will slow the transmission.

Effective immediately, masks must be worn by students and employees including faculty at all times inside except when one is alone in a private space or, for students, when with people who share a room or apartment.

We may continue to unmask to eat and drink at meals inside the Gordon Commons or Retreat. You may not have food or drink at other indoor gatherings, which must be completely masked from now until the end of the semester.

Last, if you feel sick at all (e.g., stuffy nose, achy, headache, fever, exhausted)— please mask, stay away from others, and get tested immediately. And if you feel others are not masking when they should, please remind them to mask. If you are reminded, please respond with “thank you for reminding me” and then mask up.

Thank you to everyone for continuing to help keep campus safe and healthy.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
VASSAR COLLEGE
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar